Category: Sewing

I’ve had this project on the back burner for ever. Initially it formed part of my 2018MakeNine plans but never quite made it to the top of my sewing queue. I had the pattern, fabric and notions and, not to be undeterred, I duly put it into my 2019MakeNine plans too. And finally, finally, I’ve sewn it up!

I’d go as far to say, I’d started to have something of a mental block when it came to this pattern for reasons I couldn’t quite put my finger on…and now that I’ve sewn it, what do I think?

Hello sewing friends! I’m back with a quick craft project today; I’m really starting to love throwing these into the sewing queue to mix things up a little bit; for those times I need a chance to sew without having to worry about fit issues, tracing out masses of pattern pieces or sticking huge PDFs together. When I feel myself reluctant to do any of those things, I reach for a craft project instead and this one, the ‘Stowe Bag’ from Grainline Studio and the ‘Petal Pouch’ from Noodlehead, I thought went really well together. My sisters’ birthday was coming up – she’s a keen knitter / crocheter so I figured these would make a good present; creating something for her to make her own craft projects portable.

I have both patterns in PDF format; they were ridiculously quick to stick together and very quick to sew. However, the Stowe Bag instructions did make me blink insensibly in a slack-jawed kind of way on a couple of occassions. It was easy enough to work out in the end, just that in a couple of places the instructions and accompanying illustrations didn’t … well, illustrate … in a way my brain could immediately comprehend! I figured it would be worthwhile then to write a lil’ post sharing my process in making both these!

Hello! I thought it timely to do an end of year review of my #2018MakeNine makes, since I’m planning my #2019MakeNine Sewing! In short, this year my plans seem to have started with a flourish, gained some solid middle ground and then, surprisingly, dwindled to absolutely nothing, as we shall see! Unlike the previous year, I still stand by #2018MakeNine plans; what I haven’t sewn yet, I’m absolutely sure I’ll sew at some point soon. Gah! I was absolutely convinced I’d nail these projects but, in fairness, I think I’ve good reasons for not doing so yet. Reasons? Or Excuses? You decide!

Anyhoo, in no particular order, let’s start with the projects I did complete…

I’ve made two, quite different, versions of this top – the one in this picture is in a cotton lawn and I’d class it as a shirt; the other I made in some soft viscose which is more ‘blouse’ like – is the only difference between the definition of a women’s shirt and blouse; the fabric it’s made in? Does anyone know or shall I ask Alexa?!

Of the two, I prefer the look of the lawn one but much prefer the feel and wear of the viscose one. I think what I’m saying is, my ideal version would be this print in a viscose! You can read my full post and review of the patternHERE.

Thanks for joining me…I’m so excited to share this make with you as I’m incredibly proud – and somewhat relieved – to have made it! Making a fully lined coat has been on my ‘skills list’ for ages. Y’see, to my mind, it had always seemed like one of those highly impressive and unfeasibly difficult sewing projects; something only a ‘real’ sewist makes. And now I’ve done it, I’m happy to report it’s really not that hard at all! We can all make one! This is the ‘Minoru’ Raincoat / Jacket by Sewaholic...

Making theDeer & Doe ‘Luzerne’ trench coat recently, which is finished with bias binding internally, gave me the hunger to step up and tackle a full lining. No handstitching, I wanted to learn to do it all by machine. The Minoru Jacket seemed like a good option as it has also has some other great features, most notably the hood which can be hidden inside a zipped compartment in its high dramatic collar, as well as having inside breast pockets. Unfortunately…

Hello…I feel like I’ve been mentally writing this post for sooo long, having sewn up four pairs of these Eleanore Jeans by Jaliesince the earlier part of this year; a pair for my young daughter and three pairs for myself. If you’re looking for an intro to sewing trousers, or jeans specifically, I think this faux fly pattern is a really good place to start. The pattern has a lot of standard jean details, like the yokes and the finish of the inside leg seam. If you’re simply looking for a quick sew that results in a pair of pants you’ll wear constantly – if you’re anything like me – then you’ll also find this pattern a winner!

The pattern size range is extensive – starting at a child’s size 2 up to a women’s size W 44″ H 53″ – and calls for a denim or twill with 20% cross stretch. I’m quite sure I will make many more of these just as long as I can get my hands on …

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Hi, I’m Sarah and I’m rather fond of sewing. And by ‘rather fond’, I really mean ‘absolutely obsessed’! You can find out more about me by clicking on my profile pic to go to my ‘Seamstress Tag’ post or you can click on ‘About Me / Contact Me’ tab in the main menu. Happy Sewing! x

...to FIND OUT MORE about me 'click' on my Profile Pic above to visit my 'Seamstress Tag' post or select the 'About Me' tab from the menu above x

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